The Macerich Company (MAC)

Executive Summary / Key Takeaways

• The Path Forward Plan is working ahead of schedule: Macerich has signed 5.4 million square feet of leases year-to-date 2025 (up 86% YoY) and grown its SNO pipeline to $99 million, putting it on track to meet 2028 FFO targets while deleveraging the balance sheet through $1.2 billion in asset dispositions.

• Leasing velocity is the critical leading indicator: With 1.5 million square feet signed in Q3 alone and trailing twelve-month releasing spreads of 5.9% (the 16th consecutive quarter of positive spreads), tenant demand for Macerich's fortress assets is materially stronger than the "retail apocalypse" narrative suggests.

• Asset recycling is cleansing the portfolio, not signaling distress: The Santa Monica Place receiver appointment and expected South Plains Mall technical default are deliberate portfolio pruning events that eliminate cash-draining assets, while the Crabtree Mall acquisition demonstrates disciplined growth in high-growth markets.

• The mid-2026 inflection point is the make-or-break catalyst: Management's guidance implies NOI growth will accelerate from the current 1.7% pace to a 5%+ CAGR as the SNO pipeline converts, but this requires flawless execution on 30 anchor openings and maintaining 85%+ tenant retention through 2026 lease expirations.

• Valuation hinges on leverage reduction, not growth premiums: Trading at 7.76x net debt/EBITDA, Macerich must reach its low-6x target by 2028 to re-rate from a distressed multiple to a premium valuation; any slippage on asset sales or leasing execution could trap the stock in a leverage discount.

Setting the Scene: The Mall REIT in Transition

The Macerich Company, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Santa Monica, California, operates as a self-administered real estate investment trust focused on regional shopping centers. For most of its history, Macerich followed the traditional mall REIT playbook: acquire large portfolios, operate at scale, and manage leverage to generate steady cash flows. That model broke down in the 2010s as e-commerce penetration accelerated and department store anchors retrenched, leaving Macerich with a bloated portfolio, excessive leverage, and a reputation as a "melting ice cube" in a structurally declining industry.

The strategic pivot began in Q2 2024 with the unveiling of the "Path Forward Plan," a three-pronged strategy to simplify the business, improve operational performance, and reduce leverage. This wasn't a cosmetic restructuring—it was a fundamental shift from managing for near-term FFO to optimizing for long-term value creation through permanent occupancy. The plan explicitly targets $2 billion in asset dispositions, consolidation of joint ventures to 100% ownership, and a reduction in net debt/EBITDA from over 8.5x to the low-6x range by 2028.

Because Macerich is attempting to do what no mall REIT has successfully executed at scale: shrink to grow. By selling non-core "Eddy" assets and reinvesting in fortress properties, the company aims to transform from a diversified mall operator into a curator of high-productivity retail destinations. The risk is that asset sales occur at cap rates that destroy net asset value; the reward is a smaller, higher-quality portfolio that commands premium valuations. The market's skepticism is evident in the stock's 57.9% gross margin and negative 15.6% return on equity—metrics that reflect a business in transition rather than a mature REIT operating at steady state.

Macerich's competitive positioning sits between Simon Property Group (SPG)'s scale advantage and Federal Realty (FRT)'s premium street-retail focus. With 47 properties totaling 51 million square feet, Macerich lacks Simon's 200+ property portfolio and international diversification, but its concentration in dense West Coast and Northeast markets offers higher per-square-foot rent potential. The company's sustainability leadership—historically ranked #1 by GRESB —provides a differentiator for eco-conscious retailers, though this has yet to translate into measurable pricing power versus peers.

Financial Performance: Leasing as the Engine of Value

The Q3 2025 results validate the Path Forward strategy's early progress. Total revenues of $253.3 million increased 16.6% year-over-year, driven almost entirely by leasing revenue growth of $33.8 million. This wasn't a one-time event; year-to-date leasing revenue is up 19% to $705.6 million, with the increase split between JV Transition Centers ($96.2 million), Same Centers ($8.6 million), and the Crabtree acquisition ($12 million). Macerich's revenue growth is coming from filling space, not from external factors like property tax adjustments or one-time lease termination fees.

The leasing machine is running hot. Macerich signed 1.5 million square feet of new and renewal leases in Q3, an 87% increase from Q3 2024, bringing year-to-date signings to 5.4 million square feet (up 86%). More importantly, the quality of this leasing is improving. Trailing twelve-month releasing spreads remain positive at 5.9%, marking the 16th consecutive quarter of positive spreads. The company has commitments on 94% of 2025 expiring square footage and is "significantly ahead" on 2026 expirations, with 55% committed and another 30% in letter-of-intent stage.

Investors should focus on leasing velocity because it directly de-risks the 2028 FFO targets. Management's "leasing speedometer"—an internal tool tracking revenue completion for new leasing activity—sits at 70% today, ahead of the year-end 2025 target. The SNO pipeline has grown to $99 million, on pace to meet or exceed the $100 million year-end target, with Crabtree adding another $40 million of incremental SNO. This $140 million of future revenue is already contracted but not yet flowing through NOI, creating a visible growth bridge that most REITs cannot provide.

The segment dynamics reveal a tale of two portfolios. Go-Forward Portfolio centers generated 1.7% NOI growth in Q3 (closer to 3%+ adjusting for Forever 21 bankruptcies), with occupancy at 94.3%—up 150 basis points sequentially. Portfolio sales per square foot reached $867, up 4% year-over-year, with the go-forward portfolio at $905. These are healthy metrics for a retail REIT. Conversely, the "Eddy" assets being sold or returned to lenders are dragging down overall performance, with the company identifying $1.4-1.5 billion in additional dispositions. The strategic implication is that Macerich is actively shedding its weakest assets, even if it means accepting technical defaults, to focus capital and management attention on the fortress core.

Balance Sheet Repair: The Leverage Tightrope

Macerich's balance sheet transformation is the other half of the Path Forward story. Net debt to EBITDA ended Q3 at 7.76x, a full turn lower than at the plan's outset, but still elevated versus Simon's 5.5x and Federal Realty's 4.5x. The company has $1 billion in total liquidity, including $650 million of capacity on its revolving credit facility and no outstanding borrowings. This provides runway, but the path to low-6x leverage requires flawless execution on asset sales and NOI growth.

The debt reduction progress is substantial. Macerich has paid down nearly $1 billion of 2026 maturities over the past year, including $350 million from recent sales of Lakewood Center and Atlas Park. The company has completed almost $1.2 billion in mall dispositions, with another $130 million sold or under contract against a 2025 target of $100-150 million. Land sales have generated $55 million year-to-date, with $15 million additional under contract, plus $11 million in outparcel sales and $50 million more under contract. These granular details matter because they show management is monetizing every non-core asset type to hit leverage targets.

The financing markets are cooperating—for fortress assets. The $160 million term loan on Crabtree closed at SOFR + 2.50% (mid-6% range), well inside the 10% cost some feared. The loan includes two one-year extension options and penalty-free prepayment, providing flexibility to execute the $60 million strategic investment plan. This demonstrates that lenders will finance high-quality malls at reasonable rates, validating Macerich's focus on fortress properties.

However, the non-core assets tell a different story. The $300 million Santa Monica Place loan defaulted in April 2024, and a court-appointed receiver assumed control in March 2025. While the loan is non-recourse and the company no longer funds cash shortfalls, Macerich continues to record operations until title transfers. The $200 million South Plains Mall loan is expected to be in technical default as of November 2025 as negotiations continue. These aren't signs of systemic distress—they're deliberate decisions to stop throwing good money after bad. Macerich is prioritizing balance sheet flexibility over protecting its ego, a discipline that will ultimately create value.

Outlook and Execution Risk: The 2026 Inflection Point

Management's guidance centers on a mid-2026 inflection point when the SNO pipeline begins converting to NOI at scale. The Path Forward plan targets a 5.2% CAGR for go-forward portfolio NOI from 2024-2028, with 2026 growth expected at 3-4% before ramping "significantly higher" in 2027-2028. This trajectory is built on three assumptions: 30 anchor openings between 2025-2028 (25 already committed), 85%+ tenant retention through 2026 expirations, and maintaining 5%+ releasing spreads.

The leasing speedometer provides real-time validation. At 70% completion today, the company is ahead of its 70% year-end target and tracking toward 85% by mid-2026. The SNO pipeline's composition is high-quality: 90% of remaining space is A, B, or C rated, and 68% is in fortress or fortress potential properties. This concentration de-risks the conversion assumption—Macerich isn't counting on marginal assets to drive growth.

Anchor leasing progress is tangible. The 142,000 square foot DICK'S (DKS) House of Sport at Washington Square (opening fall 2027) follows the successful Freehold Raceway Mall opening and will be joined by a second location at Crabtree. DICK'S has publicly stated House of Sport drives mid-teens percentage traffic increases one year after opening. Similarly, the 11,000 square foot Hermès (RMS.PA) at Scottsdale Fashion Square—its first Arizona location—cements that center as the state's primary luxury destination. These aren't just tenants; they're traffic drivers that increase the productivity of adjacent space.

The risk is execution timing. New deals take 12-18 months to generate revenue, creating a lag between signing and NOI recognition. If leasing momentum slows in 2026 or tenant retention falls below 85%, the inflection point could be delayed, leaving Macerich in a leverage limbo where debt remains elevated but growth hasn't materialized. Management's comment that they'd "rather not constrain ourselves to give you a target for '26" suggests they're managing for outcomes, not guidance, but also introduces uncertainty.

Risks and Asymmetries: What Could Break the Thesis

The primary risk is that the leasing momentum proves unsustainable. While year-to-date signings are up 86%, this compares to a depressed 2024 baseline. If macroeconomic conditions deteriorate—due to tariffs, recession, or e-commerce acceleration—tenant demand could evaporate, leaving Macerich with a shrinking SNO pipeline and stagnant NOI. The company's own assessment that a 1% interest rate increase would reduce annual cash flow by $4.7 million highlights the sensitivity to external factors beyond management's control.

Anchor tenant dependency remains a structural vulnerability. The Forever 21 bankruptcy in Q1 2025 created 500,000 square feet of vacancy, and while Macerich has commitments on 74% of that space at higher rents, the disruption highlights the risk of concentration in fashion retail. If other anchors like Macy's (M) or JCPenney retrench further, co-tenancy clauses could trigger rent reductions across multiple tenants, creating a cascading revenue impact. Management's comment that they "do not anticipate that the negative impact of such clauses on lease revenue will be significant" is based on current occupancy, but a major anchor loss could change that calculus.

The leverage reduction timeline is aggressive. To reach low-6x net debt/EBITDA by 2028, Macerich must both grow NOI and continue selling assets. If cap rates expand due to recession or higher interest rates, asset sale proceeds could fall short of targets, forcing either slower deleveraging or dilutive equity issuance. The $50 million ATM issuance in Q3 2025 shows management will use equity when opportunistic, but repeated dilution could erode per-share value.

On the positive side, the asymmetry is compelling. If Macerich executes, the stock could re-rate from 7.76x leverage to a premium multiple as it achieves investment-grade metrics. The 3.83% dividend yield, while modest versus peers, is well-covered by operating cash flow of $283 million (TTM).

With $1 billion in liquidity and no near-term maturities except South Plains, the company has time to prove the thesis. The wildcard is M&A—if Macerich can acquire additional fortress assets like Crabtree on leverage-neutral terms, it could accelerate NOI growth without compromising the balance sheet.

Valuation Context: Pricing the Transformation

At $17.75 per share, Macerich trades at a market cap of $4.76 billion and an enterprise value of $9.62 billion (15.7x EBITDA). This multiple is in line with peers like Brixmor (BRX) (14.7x) but below Simon (20.6x) and Federal Realty (16.4x), reflecting the market's wait-and-see stance on the Path Forward plan. The 1.81x price-to-book ratio suggests the market values Macerich near its net asset value, but book value is depressed by accumulated depreciation and write-downs.

The key valuation metrics are leverage and cash flow. Net debt/EBITDA of 7.76x is the primary constraint; every 0.5x reduction should theoretically unlock 5-10% in stock price as the risk premium contracts. The 14.6x price-to-operating-cash-flow ratio is reasonable for a REIT, but the 188.9% payout ratio indicates the dividend is not fully covered by earnings, making deleveraging even more critical. The 2.06 beta reflects high volatility relative to the market, appropriate for a turnaround story.

Comparing Macerich to peers highlights both the opportunity and the risk. Simon's 36.5% profit margin and 82.5% ROE reflect best-in-class operations and scale, while Kimco (KIM)'s 5.17% dividend yield and 1.06 beta show the stability of grocery-anchored open-air centers. Macerich's negative 15.6% ROE and negative 35.4% profit margin are artifacts of the transition—losses on asset sales and impairments that should diminish as the portfolio stabilizes. The question is whether the market will award a premium multiple before the transformation is complete.

Conclusion: The Leasing Speedometer Is Ticking

Macerich's investment thesis boils down to a simple proposition: can a mall REIT shrink its way to greatness? The Path Forward plan provides a credible roadmap, and the Q3 2025 results offer early validation. Leasing velocity, the SNO pipeline, and asset sale progress are all tracking ahead of plan, suggesting management's 2028 targets are achievable. The mid-2026 inflection point is the critical catalyst—if Macerich can convert its $140 million SNO pipeline to NOI while reducing leverage to the low-6x range, the stock should re-rate from a turnaround discount to a quality premium.

The risks are material but manageable. Technical defaults on non-core assets are features, not bugs, of the portfolio cleansing process. Anchor tenant risk is real, but the diversification into experiential tenants like DICK'S House of Sport and Hermès reduces dependency on traditional fashion retail. The primary execution risk is timing: if leasing momentum slows or interest rates spike, the deleveraging timeline could extend, leaving Macerich vulnerable to external shocks.

For investors, the key variables to monitor are the leasing speedometer's progression toward 85% by mid-2026, the resolution of the South Plains Mall default, and any signs of cap rate expansion in asset sales. The stock's current valuation prices in moderate success; any acceleration in NOI growth or faster-than-expected leverage reduction would drive meaningful upside. Conversely, a slowdown in leasing or a failed asset sale would confirm the market's skepticism. Macerich isn't a bet on the death of malls—it's a bet that the best malls will survive and thrive, and that management can transform the company into a pure-play owner of those assets before the clock runs out.